BREAKING NEWS: As expected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has offered fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden asylum. On granting Snowden asylum, Maduro said: “I have decided to offer humanitarian asylum to the young American, Edward Snowden, so that in the fatherland of (Simon) Bolivar and (Hugo) Chavez, he can come and live away from the imperial North American persecution,” the Venezuelan news agency reports. Good luck staying safe in Venezuela Edward Snowden. Actually, good luck getting to Venezuela.

This offer comes as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Friday that he had received an asylum request from Snowden and could accept the bid “if circumstances permit.” I guess one can say, the final straw was the treatment of Bolivian President Evo Morales or was it already a foregone conclusion in the mind of Nicolas Maduro that he would gladly take the opportunity to stick a finger in the eye of America. It’s amazing that Snowden is seeking protection from some of the most repressive governments in the world, despite his so-called Libertarian agenda. In case he hasn’t noticed, the Venezuelan economy isn’t exactly thriving under Nicolas Maduro.

In other news, Venezuela has offered Edward Snowden asylum. No direct flights from Moscow to Caracas. Would require stopover in Havana.